EMHC vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMHC (SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMHC is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging USD Bond Core Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMHC returned 1.55%/yr vs 9.25%/yr for XLU. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMHC charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

EMHC vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (EMHC) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMHC achieves a 1.57% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 3.11% return.

EMHC

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 1.57%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 11.54%
• 3Y*: 8.74%
• 5Y*: 1.55%
• 10Y*: —

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EMHC vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
EMHC SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF	1.57%	14.07%	3.52%	10.06%	-17.75%	1.68%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	12.80%

Correlation

The correlation between EMHC and XLU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.35

EMHC vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMHC	XLU
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

EMHC vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EMHC

EMHC Risk / Return Rank: 64
EMHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
EMHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
EMHC Omega Ratio Rank: 68
EMHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
EMHC Martin Ratio Rank: 62

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EMHC vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (EMHC) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	EMHC	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	0.63	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	0.94	+2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.12	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	1.00	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.09	2.24	+8.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMHC vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMHC Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMHC and XLU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EMHC	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	0.63	+1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.54	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.40	-0.18

Drawdowns

EMHC vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMHC drawdown since its inception was -28.03%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMHC and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMHC	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.03%	-51.98%	+23.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.37%	-9.18%	+4.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.67%	-17.26%	+9.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.03%	-25.26%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-7.78%	+7.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.91%	-10.22%	+0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	4.09%	-3.05%

Volatility

EMHC vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (EMHC) is 1.89%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that EMHC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMHC	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.89%	5.41%	-3.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.16%	11.53%	-7.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.43%	14.57%	-9.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.06%	17.32%	-8.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.96%	19.26%	-10.30%

EMHC vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMHC has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EMHC vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

EMHC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.11%, more than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMHC SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF	6.11%	6.16%	5.95%	5.12%	5.11%	2.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMHC and XLU in my portfolio?

EMHC and XLU have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMHC or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to EMHC (1.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMHC dropped -28.03% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, EMHC or XLU?

On 5-year performance, XLU leads with 9.25% vs 1.55% for EMHC. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, EMHC has been the lower-risk option at 1.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMHC or XLU?

Over the 5-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.25% return vs 1.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMHC or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for EMHC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMHC or XLU?

EMHC has the higher dividend yield at 6.11%, compared with 2.72% for XLU.

What is the main difference between EMHC and XLU?

EMHC is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while XLU is Utilities Equities. EMHC tracks Bloomberg Emerging USD Bond Core Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for EMHC and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.63), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.